LifestylePhilippines record-shattering 116° heatwave amid El Niño fury

Philippines record-shattering 116° heatwave amid El Niño fury

Temperatures approaching 50 degrees Celsius are unheard of in the Philippines.

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5:56 PM EDT, April 24, 2024

Records are being broken - the Philippines recently marked a temperature of 116 degrees Fahrenheit, a figure unparalleled in the nation's history.

In a gripping battle with extreme heatwaves, the Philippines reported a temperature spike to 116 degrees Fahrenheit in Cavite province on Tuesday, as documented by AFP on Wednesday. This has led to a drought being declared across nearly half of the country's regions. Experts are linking these severe conditions to the El Niño weather phenomenon.

The Hottest Months of the Year

Situated in the equatorial climate zone, the Philippines experiences consistent air temperatures throughout the year, with an average of around 86 degrees Fahrenheit. This, combined with its proximity to water, results in a climate marked by high humidity and significant rainfall from June to October.

Typically, March, April, and May are the warmest and driest months in the Philippines. However, this year has brought exceptionally high temperatures, with figures nearing 122 degrees Fahrenheit, seldom seen in the region.

According to Ana Solis, a climate expert with the national meteorological agency, the extreme heat is associated with the El Niño phenomenon. This climatic and oceanic event is characterized by sustained above-average water temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean due to weakened easterly trade winds.

Moreover, the heat index, which considers temperature and factors like wind and humidity, is expected to hit at least 107.6 degrees Fahrenheit in over 30 cities and municipalities in the Philippines by Wednesday.

In Manila, the country's capital, the heat index soared to 113 degrees on Tuesday, April 23, and climbed to over 111.2 degrees Fahrenheit by Wednesday.

Schools Switch to Remote Learning

Faced with the scorching heat, many schools in the capital have transitioned to remote learning. Drought has been officially declared in approximately half of the provinces.

Ana Solis has indicated that the heatwave could become even more severe in the days ahead. She also highlights that the Philippines is among the countries most susceptible to the impacts of climate change, as reported by AFP.

The Philippines is an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. Manila is its capital, and it is one of the world's largest metropolises. With over 100 million inhabitants, the Philippines is the 12th most populous country globally.